The weekend 16th-17^th February Team Positive Lift experienced the wonderful hospitality of the Tasmanian Kite Flyers and what a great weekend it was.

We arrived at Tullamarine Saturday morning after a few minor hassles and parked the car in the long term car park, $20 for the weekend quite reasonable really. Then off to book in our luggage. The baggage handlers eyed our kite bags with the usual disdain but six pieces of luggage for three people was too much, three pieces would have to go on standby, so of course we elected the bags containing clothes the least important.

We arrived in Tassie later to be greeted by the friendly faces of Malcolm, Roger and Flocky, and to our delight 6 pieces of luggage .( Hooray clean sox and jocks tomorrow)

After a short tour of Devonport we settled into our motel and then off for some flying. The wind was extremely strong much to the dislike of maggies kites.

That evening we were entertained at a great BBQ and a kite auction that was most successful.

Sunday morning we were off to the flying field bright and early to do some team flying while the field was being set up What a wonderful venue. The playing fields of yesterday soon took on the appearance of a village fair, with a jumping castle and lots of vendor stalls selling food, kites and other goods plus a delightful gypsy wagon selling trinkets from Nepal. The area was large with plenty of room for single line, team flying teddy drops, and much more. By 11.00 am the public began to arrive with their rugs and picnic baskets and set up residence for the afternoon.

Despite the blustery conditions the sky was full of a great variety of kites all afternoon.

Jackie and George Penny from U K were there with Stewart Little, their 30 foot mermaid and other sea creatures. Rob Brassington entertained with a new kite that was a little different from his usual creations. Our arch flew all afternoon in the far corner of the field whilst we kept changing our centre field display as much as the conditions would allow.

The local kite flyers all worked very hard flying kites when not attending to their other duties, congratulations to all for a job well done . Team Skylark showed us some team flying and lots of children dotted the field with their plastic sleds and other kites. The newspaper kite competition was very popular with about 35 entries , and the Teddy bear drop had a record number of parachuting teddy bears.

But alas all good things must come to an end and before long Malcolm was tapping us on the shoulder saying ‘’ time to pack up you have a plane to catch”

Our thoughts on the festival , wonderful hospitality, plenty of room to fly, and a great appreciative audience, what more could a flyer want.

Team Positive Lift in Devenport

Brrrrrr Bear and our Arch, flying High

Claude the crow and Pricilla the pelican

Maggie launches her scarecrow into the air

Our feathers

A sky full of Kites

This Mermaid flew in all the way from the UK.

Seahorse

The banner we donated to the auction, finds a new home in Tasmania.